• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the Pacific region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Programme (CCES) was established to support SPC in strengthening and streamlining its climate change initiatives by consolidating the existing climate change work of SPC under strategic and technical management. In addition, CCES provides leadership in SPC’s climate change and environmental sustainability actions, coordinates and liaises with regional and international partners coherently for the organisation and enhances mainstreaming of the issue within its divisional development work.

The role – Pacific Climate and Clean Air Coordinator will coordinate Short Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) mitigation activities at the country and regional levels, contributing their expertise to the Regional Pacific Nationally Determined Contributions Hub (“the NDC Hub”) and other relevant divisions in SPC. Complementing work undertaken by the NDC Hub Mitigation Specialist and technical team, the Coordinator will facilitate and contribute to the design, implementation, and tracking of SLCP work in key sectors such as agriculture, waste, cooling, transport, and energy, and strengthen synergies between SLCP-relevant teams within SPC. The Coordinator will support engagement, ambition, and cooperation of national and regional partners on SLCPs, including in the lead-up to Regional Convenings; identify country priorities in the context of SLCPs and promote matchmaking by engaging with key development partners; identify relevant SLCP mitigation strategies and build a portfolio of SLCP projects in the region; and strengthen Pacific Island advocacy on the multiple benefits of local and global fast SLCP action, particularly on the benefits of fast climate action.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Building capacity in the region and countries to take action on SLCPs

• Coordinate active synergies and collaboration with SPC technical divisions (including GEM, SDD, LRD, FAME, PHD, HRSD and CCES team leads), PCREEE on SLCP mitigation priorities and activities to strengthen regional coordination and delivery on SLCP action through SPC and the Regional Pacific NDC Hub.
• Assist countries in identifying relevant areas of gaps and needs to enhance mitigation targets and delivery, promoting inter-ministerial coordination and communicating effectively with relevant stakeholders on the ground.
• Coordinate with NDC Hub focal points, implementing partners and relevant stakeholders to gather necessary data and insights for project development.
• Ensure the delivery of workshops and trainings broadly for climate and clean air, as well as technical workshops and training in key SLCP sectors such as agriculture, waste, cooling, energy, and transport.
• Align with the NDC Hub workplan and country development priorities.
• Liaise with key partners to deliver training and workshops in response to identified needs.
• Increase awareness of Pacific Island countries to SLCP issues and co-benefits of action.
• Collate and develop Pacific SIDS-appropriate resources and knowledge materials in relation to SLCPs.

Coordinating and matchmaking needs with resources

• Match SLCP mitigation benefits with country priorities, including adaptation and sustainable development.
• Identify sources of funding for SLCP mitigation-relevant activities.
• Matchmake country requests with development partners and other potential external funders to reduce administrative burden, reduce time between requests and concrete responses, and avoid the duplication of actions.

Liaising closely with the CCAC

• Supporting country access to CCAC capacity-building resourcing opportunities, as well as other opportunities shared through networks.
• Leveraging the CCAC network to elevate SLCP-relevant priorities, needs, and other messaging.
• Participating in global and regional CCAC activities where relevant to SPC priorities.

Building a portfolio of SLCP mitigation projects in the region

• Identify and track SLCP-relevant existing projects in the Pacific region, for example being delivered by development partners, to build a portfolio of SLCP mitigation projects in Pacific SIDS.
• Engage across key relevant SPC divisions and teams including the NDC Hub, GEM, SDD, LRD, FAME, PHD, HRSD and CCES team leads, PCREEE.
• Contribute to the development of a coordinated regional SLCP programme or regional climate and clean air strategy.
• Elevate SLCP action on the agenda of key forums by highlighting synergies between SPC priorities and SLCP issues,
• Identify and support champion Pacific Island countries and other leaders in the SPC and CCAC networks.

Supporting advocacy for SLCP action

• Supporting advocacy for fast climate action through SLCP reductions in regional convenings.
• Recognising and communicating on the high potential of global SLCP reduction for rapid climate change mitigation and benefits for Pacific and SIDS contexts.
• Coordinate Pacific SIDS advocacy on SLCP action in Regional Convenings.
• Participate in regional climate and clean air and sectoral meetings, workshops, and consultations delivered and supported by SPC and key partners to increase awareness of the benefits and urgency of SLCP action and highlight opportunities for action.
• Work towards inclusion of SLCP with concrete outcomes at the Regional Convenings, liaising with SPC members and other key partners in regional settings.
• Work PSIDS to develop and promote advocacy resources and messaging linking SLCP issues to key climate and sustainable development priorities.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject relating to climate science, environmental science, natural science (physics, chemistry), air quality, atmospheric physics, with wider focus on environment monitoring, climate change and sustainable development, project development or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least 7-8 years of experience relevant to climate change, air pollution, sustainable development or environment and health, preferably within the Pacific region.
• Practical experience in climate change mitigation project development and/or design and/or policy development and implementation, particularly those related to country NDC’s and short-lived climate pollutant.
• Experience in day-to-day engagement with Government ministries and agencies.
• Experience in engaging with other stakeholders (private sector, NGOs, development partners, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and advocate on issues related to climate change and sustainable development, and to build and strengthen partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance on climate change mitigation aspects, and ideally in the context of short-lived climate pollutants.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills relating to short-lived climate pollutant mitigation sectors (energy, cooling, transport, agriculture, waste).
• Experience in organising consultations, validation meetings, workshops and capacity building events at the national and regional level.        

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – until 30 September 2029 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Pacific Climate and Clean Air Coordinator is a band 9 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,399‒2,998 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,412–9,265 (USD 3,214–4,018; EUR 2,900–3,625). Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Suva – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,500–5,200 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 14 June 2026 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: TT000199

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. Describe your experience coordinating with stakeholders, including government counterparts, on climate-specific or climate-relevant issues, and provide a concrete example.
2. Describe your understanding of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) and explain how they can be effectively managed to reduce their impacts.
3. Explain what Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are and how they contribute to achieving national climate ambition.